Wellness Myths in the Yoga World
Yoga Meets Movement Science
Yoga and the immune system: 'support' not 'boost'
Andrea reframes claims: yoga supports immune health via movement, stress reduction, and sleep—not 'boosting' immunity.
Yoga teacher Jenni Rawlings and Exercise Science professor Travis Pollen are joined by Dr. Jessica Steier and Dr. Andrea Love (co-founders of the Unbiased Science Podcast) to discuss wellness myths in the yoga world.
Jessica Steier, DrPH, PMP is a public health scientist and data scientist, and Andrea Love, PhD is an immunologist and microbiologist.
Together, they run the Unbiased Science Podcast and all of its associated educational resources. Through their work, Jessica and Andrea are devoted to objective, critical appraisal of available evidence on science and health-related topics. They are a much-needed powerhouse of credible, science-based information in a world of social media health misinformation.
Points of discussion include:
- Why did Jess and Andrea start the Unbiased Science Podcast?
- What is the wellness industry?
- What is the “risk perception gap”?
- The challenge that exists for laypeople to discern whom to trust for health information
- What is the difference between the wellness industry and conventional medicine?
- How are wellness products regulated? Does the FDA consider supplements medicine or food/dietary products in terms of regulation?
- How does the U.S. compare to other countries in terms of regulation of wellness industry products?
- What is a wellness coach/health coach? What’s the difference between a nutritionist and a registered dietician?
- Are multivitamins (pills or powder) effective in terms of supporting health – or do they just make expensive pee?
- Are organic foods truly healthier for us? Are organic foods really better for the environment?
- Is the list of “dirty dozen” foods that should always be purchased in organic form – never conventional – evidence-based?
- Is the statement “yoga boosts the immune system” evidence-based?
- What are actual evidence-based tips for optimizing our health?
- What are Jess and Andrea’s tips for how to discern whether the info you see on social media is credible?
- …And much more!
Enjoy this engaging and eye-opening discussion for yoga, movement, and fitness geeks!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Follow and learn from Jess and Andrea on Instagram
Jess and Andrea's Unbiased Science Podcast website
Strength for Yoga Remote Group Training – ongoing, interactive monthly strength program for yogis designed by Jenni & Travis
Online yoga class library & yoga anatomy workshops with Jenni
Strength for Yoga email newsletter
To find out more about Travis Pollen: website / Instagram
Music used with generous permission from Dischord A Cappella.
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